Encouraging Joy & Grace

I found a new song yesterday which describes me perfectly. Maybe you can relate. It's called Second Guess Girl. Its all about trying to figure out what to do in a messed up and beautiful world. Some of the lyrics mirror my heart.

Is it time for a speech or for silenceAre you calling for peace or defianceIs this darkening counsel or wisdomAre we all perpetrators or victims?

It’s a hard world for a second guess girlWith one hand and anotherI try to take it in but it leaves me spinningTrying to love my sister and brother

Is this confidence born of a callingIs this ego and pride before fallingAre we standing to fight for what’s rightAre we angry and hopelessly blind?

I take in a lot of other people's opinions in books and blogs and sermons and conversations over coffee. I watch opposing views from people I trust on both sides of many debates pass by quickly on my twitter and Facebook page. I can get rilled up and ready to march with the best of them. Or sometimes I preach a gospel of peace. To fight or to reconcile?

Sometimes I second guess Quirky Faith and the platform mentality. I wonder if this blog is about preaching the truth or getting attention for myself? I've been down that road often enough I know its both and the goal is always to kill the self and glorify God. Easier said than done. And yet we're called to shine a light and be ready with an answer.

See what I mean? Second guess girl.

If you're tracking with me can I suggest an exercise in sanity and stability. In classic Mindy fashion I'm talking about making a list. Of what I know for sure.

1. There is a Creator. He loves me. He loves you too. 2. I don't want to do life without Jesus. Ever.3. The Bible contains words of life. Every second in the book is a good idea. 4. Work is honorable. But there is no greater joy than helping someone. 5. Art and music and food and friends matter. 6. My parents rock. 7. I want to grow old with my spouse at my side. He's my guy. Steadfast heart. 8. If my children learn to love Jesus then my life is a success. They are my most important priority.9. I'd step in front of an angry bear to protect my little sister. She'd do the same for me.10. Having a voice is important. Knowing when to shut up is more impressive.

I don't know a lot of things. I second guess my methods and my opinions and my time. But when I see clearly what I know for sure it helps keep the roller coaster in line. I second guess frequently - but I'm overwhelmingly grateful for the solid truths in my life.

Wowsa. We have a lot of snow. I've seen lots of people talking about going stir crazy and needing ideas for things to do. So here is my list of ten things to do when you are snowed in. Or bored. Or needing to kick your normal TV watching, Facebook surfing life up a notch.

1. READ Best ever. For fun try A man called Ove. For inspiration try The Hiding Place. For giggles reread any of the old Calvin and Hobbes or Far Side comics. For a great cynical read that will make you laugh and snort read the 2016 year in review by Dave Barry. For something full of great hope read the Bible. Seriously. Read it.

2. MEMORIZE SOMETHING You have time! And attention. Memorize the 66 books of the Bible. Memorize the Declaration of Independance. Memorize a Shakespearean sonnet. Ask your kids what their favorite song is and then memorize all the lyrics.

4. WRITE A LETTER Write a thank you note to your favorite teacher, pastor, mentor. Write a love letter to your spouse. Write a letter to your kids and tell them all the reasons you love them.

5. WRITE A BLOG POST FOR THE WALL OF FAITH You all have a story. How has Jesus changed your life? How does God make you grin? Send me a story and you'll get an invite to a Quirky Faith event. Plus you can inspire someone else.

6. DO A PERSONAL INVENTORY Take the time and sort through your soul. If you find spots of bitterness or hate or jealously or fear make the first step to heal toay.

7. CLEAN SOMETHING My bathroom drawers look the best they ever have because I took the time to clean them out. Don't worry. My car is still a disaster.

8. PLAY Color. Build a snowman. Dig out your play-doh. Dance. Paint. Challenge your teenager to an old school video game. Play Monopoly. Oh wait. Don't do that. Bad idea.

9. NAP Cuddle in with a moutain of blankets and cozy socks and enjoy the sleep.

10. PRAY Make a list of all your worries. All the world issues that bother you. The ways you want to see personal growth. The things that you are grateful to have, see, enjoy. Pray through the list. No better way to spend the day.

If you have other great snow day ideas put them in the comments. You have time. Use it!

Oh! I found some more favorites. Happy Day! If you have things you think the rest of us should check out, make sure to post in the comments. I'd love to hear what you are listening to, what you are reading, see what great photos you captured or what treats you're serving up this season.

Read on....I've got a giveaway in one of the sections.

Best New Art

I love art. Truly and madly - with my whole heart. I'm also a sucker for a good non-profit. So I think I have found heaven! Elo Wobig is a great emerging local artist and she has got an amazing deal going. If you donate to one of her favorite non-profits she'll give you a painting! Check it out. If you are interested send me a message on Facebook or on the contact page and I can hook you up. You can check out her other work athere.

Favorite New Music

The new Tenth Avenue West album released today. I listened to the whole thing on my way home and decided my favorite is the new song Sparrow. Any time you can give new life to an old hymn that's a win. One person on twitter pointed out that she found a great Narnia reference in the lyrics. I'll send a link for a free download of this song to the first person to find the C.S. Lewis quotation and post it in the comments.

Favorite new photo

I love the wonder and watchfulness of my four-year-old. May we all have hearts to see the beauty all around.

Just for fun! Here are a few of my new favorites this week. If you have favorites please post them in the comments. I want to see what your kids are saying, what great photos you grabbed, what you are reading.

Best Kid Quote

My husband bought a huge pile of avocados earlier this week. My daughter wandered into the kitchen and her eyes widened at the sight. She exclaimed "OH! We have lots of Broccamoli!"

Parent win!!! My kid thinks that the only purpose for avocados is for guacamole and she thinks it's really made out of broccoli.

I was totally broken hearted when my eldest informed her they were avocados. Broccamoli is so much more fun.

Best Random Photo

This little plaque is hanging on the wall at our local Sweet Tomatoes restaurant. I love this.

Best New Music

I love the new Casting Crowns album The Very Next Thing. My favorite songs are Song that the Angels Can't Sing and For All You Are. This released on Friday and I'm pretty much listening to it round the clock. You can check it out below.

What I'm Reading

I loved this book. It's a thoughtful look at life and faith and pain and love. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes.

"Love is holy because it is like grace--the worthiness of its object is never really what matters."

“It seems to me people tend to forget that we are to love our enemies, not to satisfy some standard of righteousness but because God their Father loves them.”

“Grace has a grand laughter in it.”

There is a reason this book won the Pulitzer in 2005. I should have read it then.